The Constitution set up the Federal Government--the Government of a Federation of Sovereign States--several of which still had Established State Churches at the time. Just as on other issues, the Constitution did not intrude on the really quite distinct State political, social and religious cultures, it certainly did not here. There was no intention to establish a Theocracy in Washington, and on that you are entirely correct.
There was not, however, any hostility to such a concept in the States, and that is why the First Amendment specifically forbids the Federal Government from passing any law that has any effect on the State religious institutions. Read it, with an understanding of English, not the ACLU distortion.
But the real point is this. The Founding Fathers did not believe that you legislate morality. They had tried that in the early days of New England, but even in Liberal New England, they had pretty well advanced beyond that idea. They legislated against things which might corrupt people's morals but that is a concept for dealing with perceived danger, not trying to legislate character. George Washington spoke for most, when he said that our whole system, our societies themselves, were based upon private morals. Morals are not a group thing. The benefit of religious teaching reaches--or fails to reach--individuals. Everything about American society, political, social, economic, spiritual, was based upon personal responsibility, personal accountability.
Pointing out that the Founding Fathers did not seek to create a Theocracy, says nothing at all about their personal value systems.
William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site
Just wanted to put that up so we know what we're talking about.
I read it, as I'm sure you do, that the United States government, and by extension the states since the 14th Amendment, cannot establish a "state" religion, nor can they prohibit the people to practice religion as they see fit. No ACLU involved.
"Pointing out that the Founding Fathers did not seek to create a Theocracy, says nothing at all about their personal value systems."
We agree. I made no comment about their personal values; which are, to say the least, to determine now, as it is near impossible to know what is in a man's heart. We do have what they DID, though, and that is above.